Sam Howell DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired quarterback Sam Howell and the 172nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for the 142nd overall pick, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Vikings were in need of a backup quarterback after a busy offseason that saw Sam Darnold depart in free agency, leaving J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the team's presumptive starter. Ironically, Darnold went to the Seahawks, and Seattle also drafted Jalen Milroe on Friday, leaving Howell as the odd man out. Now, he'll bring his experience and leadership to Minnesota. It's an important addition for the Vikings given that McCarthy, who was last year's first-round pick, has not played a regular-season snap yet. He should start Week 1 this season, but Howell will be next in line if McCarthy suffers another injury or struggles.

The Seattle Seahawks are open to trading quarterback Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in landing the backup signal-caller, according to sources. The interest comes after Seattle reunited with former backup Drew Lock last week. Sam Darnold is the starter, but the Seahawks also have Jaren Hall as their No. 4 QB. General manager John Schneider said last week that the team is prepared to have Howell and Lock compete for the backup job behind Darnold this summer. Seattle acquired Howell in a trade last March with the Washington Commanders, giving up third- and fifth-round picks in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round picks. The 24-year-old didn't look great at all in relief of Geno Smith in December after he started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, throwing 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions.

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said that signing quarterback Drew Lock in free agency "doesn't preclude" taking a signal-caller in next week's NFL draft. Schneider also said that he expects a competition for the backup job this summer between Lock and Sam Howell. "Really excited to have all four of those guys but in particular to have Sam Howell and Drew kind of competing for that second spot is a pretty good deal for us," Schneider said. The GM also said Seattle could dress three QBs in 2025, which is something the team has rarely done. Sam Darnold will obviously be the starter after a career year in 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings. Howell ended up playing just 25 snaps behind Geno Smith last year in Seattle, going 14-for-24 with an interception. Both Howell and Lock have proven to be turnover-prone in their time in the NFL. Lock was Smith's backup in Seattle in 2023.